Article originally appears in the June 7, 2018 issue of the SNEB eCommunicator.
If you’re not familiar with alternative meats it’s time! After all, White Castle recently offered one – the Impossible Burger – this past April at some locations. Before starting, here are a few terms…
**Cellular agriculture – producing agriculture products from cells in a lab
**Lab-grown meat/clean meat/cultured meat – meat produced from animal cells ‘grown’ in a lab
Background/major ‘players’ in the field
**History of the veggie burger – an interesting look at the ‘original’ alternative meat
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/history-veggie-burger-180950163/
**Clean meat: how growing meat without animals will revolutionize dinner and the world by Paul Shapiro (2018) – a new book
Here’s one review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/paul-shapiro/clean-meat/
**Lab-grown meat (Hungry for Food Science podcast – 20 minutes)
Detailed description of the process of lab-grown meat – @ http://hungryforfoodscience.com/blog/ get more information. Pros and cons include the impact of lab-grown meat could have on the incomes of poor people in ag-dependent countries.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lab-grown-meat-2/id1393094055?i=1000412762802&mt=2
**Lab-grown meat is coming, but will you try it? (KALW, City Visions, 59 min)
Detailed discussion/call-in – one of the guests is the author of the new book, ‘Clean Meat’ (see above).
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/city-visions-lab-grown-meat-is-coming-but-will-you-try-it/id287700432?i=1000408559238&mt=2
**The ‘who’s who’ and ‘what’s what’ of cultured meat
How the process works, some companies involved and two registered dietitians offer their views.
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/news/exclusive0217.shtml
**Lab-grown meat: challenges and benefits of cellular agriculture
An in-depth look at issues around cellular agriculture including cost, decreasing the risk of some food-borne illnesses, reducing the need for pesticides and ethics.
https://foodandnutrition.org/march-april-2017/lab-grown-meat-exploring-potential-benefits-challenges-cellular-agriculture/
**The Petri dish platter (Scientific American infographic)
The process of cellular agriculture in infographic form
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/files/2013/08/MeatLabWebVert.jpg
**Plant-based meat (Beyond Meat, Impossible Burger, Memphis Meats and more!)
https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-future-of-food-meat-alternatives/
**Let it bleed (humanely): we taste the vegan “Impossible Burger” and “Beyond” Burgers
In-depth review of the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat including…the aroma of the raw Beyond Burger (hint: not good!)
https://www.seriouseats.com/2016/10/beyond-burger-impossible-burger-vegan-taste-test.html
Availability
**Beyond Meat @ Whole Foods
Beyond Meat is made of pea protein and beet pulp and debuted @ Whole Foods in 2016
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/next-gen-veggie-burger-fake-blood-and-all-debut-supermarket-180959220/
**Beyond Meat debuts @ Kroger
As of July 2017, Beyond Meat was in 350 Whole Foods, 280 Safeways, 8 out of 101 BurgerFi’s and the roll-out in Kroger’s includes stores in 13 states. This article also includes a review.
http://www.businessinsider.com/review-beyond-meat-veggie-burger-bill-gates-2017-7
**The Impossible Burger, a veggie burger made from wheat, potatoes and other ingredients, debuted at White Castle in April 2018 at some locations in New York, New Jersey and Chicago. The verdict? The article @ http://www.grubstreet.com/2018/04/reviews-for-white-castle-impossible-sliders.html shares some pics and reviews.
Safety
**How do you know your lab-grown burger is safe to eat?
Good question…the government lags behind regulatory needs.
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602244/how-do-you-know-your-lab-grown-burger-is-safe-to-eat/
**FDA safety concerns
In-depth look at food safety concerns and the Impossible Burger.
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/08/21/impossible-burger-meat-substitute.aspx
**Safety of lab meat
More on food safety specifically GMO concerns and concerns about heme.
http://www.businessinsider.com/veggie-burger-tastes-like-meat-impossible-foods-snag-gmo-heme-health-2018-3
**Dr. Marion Nestle weighs in and shares the ingredient lists for the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger
https://www.foodpolitics.com/2018/05/plant-based-meat-the-cosmetic-color-problem/
Laws
**FSIS comment period regarding ‘clean meat’ labeling ended May 17, 2018 but here’s more about it.
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/05/fsis-extends-comment-period-on-petition-on-beef-and-meat-labeling-requirements/#.WxLNP4opChA
**Missouri bill would prohibit ‘meat’ label on lab-grown meat
https://www.fooddive.com/news/missouri-bill-would-prohibit-meat-label-on-lab-grown-or-plant-based-alter/521139/
**One ranking member of a sub-committee call’s for GAO review of regulations around lab-grown meats
https://www.drovers.com/article/gao-where-are-regulations-alt-meat
Cost
After searching online in early June 2018, I found 1 San Francisco restaurant selling the Impossible Burger for $16. The White Castle slider was priced at $1.99. Beyond Burger sells four 2-ounce patties for $5.99 (almost twice the cost of beef/ounce).